Originally Posted by
Sgt. Spillco
I've had the pleasure of riding Colorado's Triple Bypass the last 3 years in a row. Last year while decending Loveland Pass I actually broke the 60 mph mark for a sec. I could have gone faster but visions of tire blowouts, bad brakes, mechanical failures, etc, starting popping through my head.
What I've learned is at those speeds the slightest bump, pebble, road hazards, are greatly enhanced and the risk is something too much for me.
I'm comfortable at speeds just below 50 but only because I've ridden so several times. The first time I was scared half to death.
Can't wait to do it again this July....
Sarge
There was a very good article in the tech section of Velo News (probably more than a year ago) by an engineer from one of the wheel companies about temperature and pressure rise in the tires of the TDF while descending from the peaks in the Alps. The brake usage going into the corners at competitive speeds was bring the temps up to 400degf on the rims and the pressures in the tires up by 30lbs +. The danger of a long fast descent can be a melted tube/blowout.